Elmer’s Candid Camera Review

Elmer’s Candid Camera is a 1940 animated short film from the Merry Melodies series. It is an important, but not great entry.

Elmer Fudd is trying to photograph a rabbit but Bugs Bunny torments him endlessly. Eventually, he saves him from drowning and pushes him again in the lake. Now this is obviously a very important cartoon as it features the first ever appearance of Elmer Fudd and a redesigned version of Bugs Bunny who is nearing his completed, final look.

And I liked both of them here. Elmer is very memorable and likable whereas Bugs Bunny is an asshole in his signature manner with some memorable gags. The animation is also very strong and the ending is quite solid. However, my main issue with this film is that it is somehow restrained in craziness and very relaxed in its pace and thus the gags are not executed properly as the film is way too slow.

Elmer’s Candid Camera benefits from excellent interactions between Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny, but the pacing and gag execution are both lacking.